Integrated circuit device with reduced cross talk

ABSTRACT

A low dielectric material is applied, as by spinning on, over the passivation layer of a semiconductor chip to fill the gaps which may exist between the top layer metal lines, and thereby minimize the possibility of cross talk which might otherwise be present between those lines.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/829,745 filedMar. 31, 1997 now U.S. Pat. 6,208,029 which is a continuation of08/374,016 filed Jan. 18, 1995 now abandoned which is a continuation of08/165,872 filed Dec. 14, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,022.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method for producing an integratedcircuit device and more particularly relates to a method for producingan integrated circuit device in which circuit cross talk is minimized byusing a low dielectric constant coating material.

Cross talk between top layer metal interconnect lines of a semiconductordevice can be caused by a high dielectric constant material filling thespace between two metal lines. The plastic material commonly used forpackaging of integrated circuits normally has a dielectric constant ofbetween 6 and 8. As moisture penetrates the plastic material, thedielectric constant of the material increases. A higher dielectricconstant increases the likelihood of capacitive coupling betweenadjacent metal lines.

Cross talk and capacitive effects between metal lines in a semiconductorchip are becoming greater problems with shrinking geometries andincreasing chip speeds. Many of the attendant problems are difficult tomodel and will inexplicably show up as errors.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a method for minimizingcircuit cross talk between adjacent metal lines in an integrated circuitdevice is provided. This method employs the application of a lowdielectric constant material over the passivation layer of an integratedcircuit semiconductor device.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a methodfor minimizing cross talk between adjacent metal lines in an integratedcircuit device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a method forminimizing cross talk in an integrated circuit having a passivationlayer by applying a low dielectric constant material over thepassivation layer.

Another object is to provide a method for minimizing cross talk in anintegrated circuit which includes the steps of applying a low dielectricconstant material to the integrated circuit and curing the resultingstructure by heating in a suitable atmosphere.

Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relatesfrom the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and theappended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a typical integrated circuit wafer beforea passivation SOG layer is applied thereto.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1, but showing a passivationSOG layer applied thereto.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing a process in which a passivation SOGlayer is applied to an integrated circuit wafer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, shown there is a cross-sectional view of atypical integrated circuit device 10, including a silicon substrate 12,field oxide elements 14 for isolation between transistors andpolysilicon gates 16. A BPSG (boron phosphorus doped glass) oxide 18extends over the substrate 12 and elements 14 and 16, while a firstgroup of metal lines 20 are located over the BPSG oxide 18, and areseparated by a first dielectric layer of intermetal oxide 22, having anSOG dielectric layer 24 positioned in the oxide layer 22. A second layerof intermetal oxide 26 is applied over the metal lines 20, the firstoxide layer 22 and the SOG layer 24. Above the second layer of oxide 26is a second group of metal lines 28 which may be disposed at rightangles to the first lines 20. A passivation oxide 30 is deposited overthe second group of metal lines 28. It will be seen that the passivationoxide 30 is not completely planar, but is formed, as a result of thedeposition, with grooves or depressions 32 which extend downwardlybetween the metal lines 28.

FIG. 2 shows the integrated circuit device 10 of FIG. 1 with a lowdielectric constant passivation layer 34 added, in accordance with thepresent invention. It will be noted that the layer 34 fills the grooves32 in the passivation oxide 30 between the metal lines 28, in additionto extending over the entire upper surface of the integrated circuitdevice 10. The plastic material which-is-normally used for packagingdevices such as the integrated circuit device 10 is thus prevented frompenetrating into the grooves 32 in the passivation oxide 30, where itmight cause cross talk between adjacent metal lines 28.

The process for applying the passivation SOG layer 34 to the integratedcircuit device 10 will now be described with reference to the flowdiagram of FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, and as represented by block 40,the process is initiated by the providing of an integrated circuitdevice, such as the device 10 of FIG. 1, on which a passivation film oroxide may have been applied.

Following this, and as represented in block 42, a low dielectricconstant material 34 is spun or otherwise applied on top of the uppersurface of the integrated circuit device 10, which surface may comprisethe passivation oxide 30. As is well known, in the spin on glass (SOG)process, SOG is dispersed on a stationary wafer, and the wafer is thenspun so that the SOG is distributed on the wafer by centrifugal force.The final thickness of the layer is based, at least in part, upon thespin rate.

The following materials are among those which have a low dielectricconstant and can be spun on top of the passivation oxide 30: polyimide,spin-on-glass (SOG), glass resins of various compositions,polytetrafluoroethylene. The range in dielectric constant for thesematerials is from 2 to 5. The dielectric constants of the SOGs, glassresins and polytetrafluoroethylene materials do not appreciably increasewith moisture incorporation. The thickness of the spun-on coating mayvary from approximately one tenth micron to approximately twentymicrons, depending on various considerations, such as the material beingused.

Following the spinning on of material, the method includes a curingstep, as represented by block 44. This a curing can be accomplished in afurnace, or by other means, such as a bake oven or a hot plate oven. Thetemperature employed will normally vary from approximately 100 degreesCelsius to approximately 500 degrees Celsius, and the duration of thecuring may vary widely, from a duration of approximately ten seconds toa duration of approximately seven hours. The curing process can takeplace in one of a number of different atmospheres, including air,oxygen, argon, nitrogen or forming gas, which comprises 10% hydrogen and90% nitrogen. A typical curing operation may employ a temperature of 400degrees Celsius for a duration of one hour in an atmosphere of nitrogen.

When the curing has been completed, photomasking and etching steps maybe performed (blocks 46 and 48). This is done to open areas in the SOGlayer and the passivation oxide layer to facilitate bonding from thepackage to the integrated circuit device.

Next, the resist emulsion from the steps represented by blocks 46 and 48is removed, as represented by block 50. This step may not be necessaryif the photoresist is completely consumed in the etching step.

Finally, as represented in block 52, the integrated circuit device 10 isannealed to remove any damage and defects which may be present in thegate oxides. It should be noted that this alloying or annealing step canbe done prior to the application of the passivation oxide 30, or in someinstances not at all.

The low dielectric constant coating material can also be used as a layerto relieve the stress which is imparted to the die or wafer by theapplication of the plastic thereto, if the layer exceeds one micron inthickness. If polytetrafluoroethylene based material is used, it mayhave to receive a special treatment after the final cure operation toenable the plastic encapsulating material to stick to the wafer. Thepolytetrafluroethylene surface may have to be roughened.

A relatively thick layer of the low dielectric constant material wouldalso serve as a barrier to alpha particles which can cause errors in theintegrated circuit device. For this, a layer in excess of five micronswould be needed.

Although the invention has been described with particular reference to apreferred embodiment thereof, variations and modifications of thepresent invention can be effected within the spirit and scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated circuit device comprising: aplurality of top layer metal interconnect lines: a passivation layerdisposed over said top layer metal interconnect lines and having gapswhich extend between said metal interconnect lines, low dielectricconstant material disposed over said passivation layer and in said gapsto prevent the deposition of a high dielectric constant material in saidgaps and to reduce crosstalk between said metal interconnect lines athigh operating speeds of said integrated circuit; high dielectricconstant material disposed over said low dielectric constant material;wherein said low dielectric constant material has a thickness greaterthan 10 microns and less than about 20 microns so as to serve as abarrier to alpha particles during operation; and wherein said lowdielectric material comprises spin on glass.
 2. The integrated circuitdevice of claim 1 wherein said low dielectric constant material consistsof spin on glass.
 3. The integrated circuit device of claim 1 whereinsaid low dielectric constant material has a dielectric constant ofbetween about 2 and about
 5. 4. The integrated circuit device of claim 3wherein said high dielectric constant material has a dielectric constantof between about 6 and about
 8. 5. The integrated circuit device ofclaim 1 wherein said high dielectric constant material has a dielectricconstant of between about 6 and about
 8. 6. The integrated circuitdevice of claim 1 wherein said passivation layer has a dielectricconstant that is higher than said low dielectric constant material. 7.The integrated circuit device of claim 1 and further comprising: awafer; and means for relieving stress imparted to said wafer by saidhigh dielectric constant material.